Saturday, October 30, 2010

Today is the day when pumpkin shells cast evil spells and witches, ghosts and goblins by the score, who will be knocking at your front door!

It reminds me of my favorite Halloween shorts and unpacking each year, one of my favorite WDCC releases .. Trick or Treat!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection put everyone into the "Halloween Spirit" in Fall 2001 with the release from the 1952 animated short, "Trick or Treat," one of the most beloved and well-remembered of the Duck cartoons. Trick or Treat marked Witch Hazel's debut and the first screen depiction of trick or treating.

Huey,Dewey and Louie visit Donald's house for Hallowe'en, but Donald turns the tricks on them. Sorry to see that Donald Duck is playing tricks on his nephews, Witch Hazel sets out to help them have the happiest Halloween ever. And if the boys "Unca" Donald doesn't want to give out any treats, he better be aware the tricks Witch Hazel has brewing in her cauldron!

It was this moment that the Walt Disney Classics Collection depicted in their scene release which consisted of Donald's Nephews (dressed respectively as a ghost, witch and devil), Witch Hazel and a very detailed CauldronBase where Witch Hazel begins to brew her potion. The complete scene was sculpted by Chris Peterson.

Witch Hazel's Spell:"Double double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Eye of needle, tongue of shoe, hand of clock that points at two... This is the real thing you know, right out of Shakespeare."

The 'Trick or Treat' Scene (Witch Hazel, Donald's Nephews (Huey, Dewey and Louie) and Cauldron Base) was honored with retirement on Friday, October 29, 2004. The Opening Title was NOT retired. Hopefully future releases from this short (specifically 'Unca' Donald and Witch Hazel's broom, Beelzebub) possible?

Pictured at right, is my Trick or Treat set up. I picked up the terra-cotta pumpkin a number of years ago (can't recall the store) and the candelabra and candles last year at Walmart ($10.00 for the candelabra and thirty-five cents each for the candles). Click on picture for a larger view.

This week check out the following:- An exciting look at “Cars 2” with brand new art! - “TRON: Legacy” featured on the new cover of “Disney twenty-three"- Tokyo DisneySea’s “Magical” 10th anniversary with new shows and attractions- “Waking Sleeping Beauty,” “Walt & El Grupo” and “The Boys” hit DVD with a limited time lithograph offer- Special interview with “Toy Story 3” star David Morris (voice of Andy) as the movie hits Blu-Ray and DVD- ABC to premiere “Skating with the Stars” - “Mickey’s Dance Crew” hits the streets at Disney California Adventure! - Lady Gaga and Elton John duet for a new Disney movie - Viewer Questions… And more!Episode Thirteen can be viewedhere!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Just in time for Halloween, Mickey’s Spooky Night Puzzle Book app is now live on the iTunes App Store, a perfect Halloween treat designed specifically for little fingers! Mickey’s Spooky Night Puzzle Book app offers an immersive and interactive reading experience for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Mickey is having a Halloween party, and all of his friends are invited. But when Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy get to Mickey’s house, they are spooked by strange noises and a creepy ghost. Children can read along as their favorite Disney friends get to the bottom of this haunted house mystery, and be on the lookout for ghostly surprises! Real character voices and thrilling sound effects add to the fun in this spooktacular adventure.

The app is available from the App Store for just $0.99 by clicking on the Mickey Icon!A short video demo of the app can be viewed below:

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Next to Christmas, Halloween is my favorite holiday, not to mention Fall being one of my favorite times of the year. Second weekend in October, got out the Halloween decorations and always look forward to the WDCC Halloween releases that I only display seasonally.

My Halloween display featuring 'Witch' Lilo and 'Vampire' Stitch (both a 2005 Open Edition retired in December, 2009), sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons had been a display in process, seeking the right items to flesh out the scene and was finally able to complete in 2008.

I purchased both sculptures in 2005 and wasn't until three years ago, I finally started to find the items I had in mind. It was then, I found the tombstones at Target ($1.99 each). They had various sayings/styles but chose the two I did, since they were fitting of the sculptures. Two years ago, I found the metal haunted house at Walmart ($7.00).

Once I had the pieces arranged on the shelf, used some fall leaves we had in a box to pull the pieces together and give that outside, cemetery feel to the scene. Very pleased in how it turned it out. Click on each picture for a larger view.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

WINTER ISSUE OF DISNEY TWENTY-THREEGETS INSIDE THE GAME GRID FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK AT TRON: LEGACY

Disney’s Official Fan Magazine Arrives with Stunning Collectible Cover, an In-Depth Exploration of the New Hawaiian Disney Resort Architecture, Features on Holidays with Walt and His Family, Walt’s Final Appearance on Screen and More

BURBANK, Calif. – October 22, 2010 – Readers will have an exclusive all access sneak peek at the upcoming Disney feature film TRON: Legacy (in theatres December 17, 2010) when Disney twenty-three’s Winter issue debuts November 1. Featuring one of the first comprehensive filmmaker interviews for TRON: Legacy, the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three magazine, produced by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, is loaded with stories to delight Disney fans and the general public alike.

This issue of Disney twenty-three offers in-depth discussions with TRON: Legacy filmmakers and features two highly collectible covers. One cover is sent exclusively to D23 Members and the other is available for purchase at select Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstore locations, online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

Director Joseph Kosinski and Producer Sean Bailey offer commentary on everything from behind-the-scenes moments and the personal memories that inspired participation in this cult-classic-sequel to the technical details that breathed life into the project. Writer Steven Lisberger even addresses the nearly thirty year gap between this film and the original release, saying: “The reason it took the 25 to 28 years is because we needed the ten-year-olds to grow up and be powerful enough to make this movie so that they could take their ten-year-old sons to see it.”

TRON: Legacy co-stars are also interviewed in the nine-page spread. Bruce Boxleitner reprises his role from the original 1982 film, admitting that he is “the biggest TRON fan there is,” while newcomer Garrett Hedlund discusses his take on his role as the character that inherits the TRON legacy.

Packed with gorgeous photos, extensive content and splendid artwork, the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three also gives readers an incredible opportunity to explore the architecture of the new Aulani Resort & Spa, Disney’s first resort in Hawaii, appropriately planted in the midst of a culture alive with history and a rich storytelling tradition.

Celebrating the abundant career of Disney Legend Dave Smith, Disney’s Chief Archivist, Disney twenty-threebrings readers a final farewell to the man who founded the Walt Disney Archives 40 years ago. Conducted just before he retired, Disney twenty-three’s article presents the last visit to his treasure-laden office, filled with visual riches.

Disney twenty-three also looks back at classic Disney with two very special pieces. The first displays the Holiday Season through the eyes of Walt and his family. A perfect fit for the Winter issue, the piece gives fans the privilege of an intimate look at Walt’s home life. The second is the result of newly-discovered footage that chronicles Walt’s last time in front of the camera in the Studio’s legendary Stage 1.

There’s much more in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:

·THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION: Highlights of D23 Members spending an amazing couple of days at Destination D: Disneyland ’55, a fun-filled celebration of The Happiest Place on Earth.

·PERFECT TIMING: The time is just right for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Dean Wellins as he makes his directorial debut and prepares to release his charming animated short, Tick Tock Tale.

·LIONS AND TIGERS AND...SANTA? OH MY! The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, one of the wildest shows in Disneyland history, dazzled crowds for six memorable weeks during the 1955 holiday season.

·A WALK WITH WALT 1938: DREAMING THE FUTURE: The success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went far beyond the silver screen.

·D SOCIETY: George Lucas strikes back, Destination D: Disneyland ’55 has arrived, and D23 Members are smack dab in the middle of D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at the Disneyland Resort.

And there’s even more for Disney fans to explore in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-threemagazine. As with every issue of Disney twenty-three, D23 Members receive an added bonus. This issue, which features a specially designed collectible cover, also comes with an exclusive TRON: Legacy gift that will be shipped to members. To become a D23 Member, visitwww.disney.com/D23.

This issue is coming out with TWO collectible covers. One will be sold on select newstands (consumer cover) and the other will be exclusive to D23 Members (member cover).

Beginning November 1, Disney twenty-three is available at select retail locations for the suggested retail price of $15.95.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Episode Eleven includes the following:- ElecTRONica launches at Disney California Adventure- Christmas is coming in a big way… with Phineas and Ferb! (Coverage of new CD, DVD, and TV special)- Danny Elfman special appearance at “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 4D” at the El Capitan, plus the new Burton/Elfman box set- Bambi steps in for Smokey the Bear (and a vintage Bambi ad for preventing forest fires)- Dave Smith’s retirement party at the Walt Disney Studios Lot full of Disney starsEpisode Eleven can be viewed here!Episode Twelve includes the following:

- Disney Fantasy set to sail in April of 2012- Hilarious Halloween costumes!- Disney Legend Dave Smith shares his favorite Disney memories- Behind the magic of “D23’s Sip & Stroll” event at Walt Disney World- Dates for “Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Celebration” and “D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt” at Walt Disney World announced- Getting tangled up with the characters from “Tangled” at Disney Parks (and getting excited for the movie’s release!)- A magical new attraction coming to Tokyo Disneyland Resort- Get ready for more “Prep & Landing”—with Betty White!- Viewer Questions… And more!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Disney Launches Online Search for Child to “Unlock Imagination” at Disney Store in Times Square

One Week Only to Enter Disney’s Family.com Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win Ultimate New York Prize Package

PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 19, 2010— Disney announces an online contest on Family.com to win a trip to the grand opening celebration of Disney Store’s Times Square, New York City location on November 9 and a starring role during the star-studded opening ceremony. The crown jewel of Disney Store’s slate of store openings around the world this year, the Times Square location will be celebrated with magical festivities including celebrity appearances, live musical performances, a parade of Disney’s most beloved characters and interactive experiences storewide. Beginning October 19, Disney fans will have just one week to register online for the chance to join the fun in-person, win a $250 shopping spree, and have the distinction of their child taking the stage to turn the key to imagination and officially unlock the all-new Disney Store in Times Square. The lucky family will also meet award winning singer Jordin Sparks during a private VIP reception after she performs Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” theme song, which she rerecorded to celebrate the 2010 release of the Blu-Ray and DVD.

To participate, families should visit www.Family.com/sweeps/disney-store between October 19-26 and register for Family.com’s Disney Store Times Square Grand Opening Sweepstakes. Details will also be shared on Disney Store’s Facebook page and through its Twitter feed. One lucky family of four will be notified on October 27 and then set to pack their bags for a 3-day/2-night trip to New York City (November 8-10). See www.Family.com for complete details and official rules.

The lucky winners will join VIPs, celebrities, tourists from around the world and New York guests in exploring the magical new store. Centerpieces include:

BURBANK, Calif., Oct 19, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales exclusively for Wii(TM) is now available in North American retail stores. A follow up to last year's hit, Toy Story Mania! also on Wii, Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales is part of the Mania! line of games, featuring fast-paced, multiplayer, family fun. This captivating game is as fun to watch as it is to play and will engage up to four players of all ages.

Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales features a large collection of pick-up-and-play games inspired by Disney*Pixar's popular Mater's Tall Tales animated short series. "We're very excited to bring our favorite characters' from the Cars world into family living rooms," said Jay Ward, Cars franchise guardian at Pixar Animation Studios. "Imagine being a part of one of Mater's Tall Tales -- that's the kind of interactive and inventive play this game delivers."

Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales brings Mater together with Lightning McQueen and the Cars gang for a new set of adventures, capturing the endearing sense of humor of everyone's favorite tow truck. Players will join Mater and his pals as they relive the wild stories he conjures up about hilariously unpredictable events that may or may not have taken place.

"In Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales, players will experience the fun and humor of Mater's Tall Tales through hours of fun and exciting Mania! gameplay," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "The game rewards both competitiveness and cooperation and the immersive storytelling experiences are appropriate for family members of all ages."

Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales for Wii allows family and friends to experience Mater's Tall Tales with a Mania! twist. The game features more than 30 levels of play involving a variety of cooperative and competitive mini-games, designed to fully utilize the Wii controls. Offering a large collection of games that will get everyone in the living room off of the couch, players will experience death-defying stunts in "Mater the Greater," run with the bulls in "El Materdor" or appreciate the heroism of a fire truck in "Rescue Squad Mater," plus many more!

With up to four players at once, Mania! video games reward competitive and cooperative play among players and features immersive storytelling experiences hosted by beloved characters that are appropriate for all ages.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios, Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales is rated E for everyone with comic mischief by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) with a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award(R)-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation.

Creator of some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL*E, Up and most recently, Toy Story 3. The Northern California studio has won 24 Academy Awards(R) and its ten films have grossed more than $6.5 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The next film release from Disney*Pixar is Cars 2 (June 24, 2011).

The latest new episodes of The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora are now available on Disney.com! The latest episodes released are “World’s Biggest Sandwich” and “Breakfast Isn’t Just for Breakfast Anymore.”

Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, launched two new original video series today featuring The Muppets and celebrity chef Cat Cora.The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Coraon Disney.com inspires and entertains families through cooking and classic Muppet comedy, whileHasty Tasty Cooking Tips with Cat Cora and the Muppetson Disney Family.com was created specifically for moms, offering recipes, step-by-step cooking tips and fun family-time ideas. Muppets Kitchen and Hasty Tasty are exclusively sponsored by the all-new Honda Odyssey and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?”® Campaign.

Joining Cat Cora in the kitchen is her new Muppet cooking partner, Angelo. A chef with style, panache and a quirky habit of cooking up chaos, Angelo can spice up any meal. And with Muppet favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo dropping by, one thing is certain: everything is funnier in Muppets Kitchen.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Sales Reps and Authorized Dealers were advised of the suspension of Mrs. Potts and Chip ("Good Night, Luv") from Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991).Mrs. Potts and Chip were released in March 1997 along with Lumiere (Suspended in February, 2009) and Cogsworth (Suspended in June, 2009). All three Enchanted Objects were sculpted by Valerie Edwards.

In 2009, the Walt Disney Classics Collection introduced the Enchanted Objects in 'Enchanted Size' versions in scale to Belle and Beast (Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts & Chip and Babette, sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales). These were done as Open Edition releases and are still available and not to be confused with the full-size releases that are now all suspended.Special Note Regarding Suspensions: When an Item is Suspended it is out of stock and there are no plans to re-order for at least a year. However, it could be decided to change the status from Suspended to Retired (Dry Retirement) at some point.If interested in a suspended item, you may want to check with retailers regarding availability as there is no guarantee that the item could be put back into production and its status changed back to active status.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

New York City, October 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — The Advertising Council, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and Disney, announced today the launch of a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to raise awareness about wildfire prevention.

The new PSAs feature characters and scenes from Disney’s Bambi and communicate Smokey Bear’s enduring message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” Bambi starred in the first Wildfire Prevention PSA in 1944, prior to Smokey Bear’s debut in the campaign later that year. The new ads are being distributed to media outlets nationwide to coincide with Fire Prevention Week (October 3-9).

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been a recognized symbol of protection of America’s forests. His message about wildfire prevention has helped to reduce the number of acres lost annually by wildfires, from about 22 million (1944) to an average of 6.5 million today. However, wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical environmental issues affecting our country. Many Americans believe that lightning starts most wildfires. In fact, on average, 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by people. The principle causes are campfires left unattended, debris burning on windy days, arson, careless discarding of smoking materials or BBQ coals, and operating equipment without spark arrestors.

Created by Disney, the new television, radio, outdoor and web PSAs specifically target elementary-school children and their parents and seek to continue to decrease the number of human-caused wildfires. The PSAs feature Disney’s Bambi and his woodland friends as they teach children to “Protect Our Forest Friends.”

The PSAs direct audiences to visit the campaign’s website, www.smokeybear.com, where they can take a pledge and learn more about wildfire prevention. While the new PSAs directly target elementary school children, Smokey Bear continues to encourage young adults to be proactive in preventing wildfires through his social media channels on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube and through a series of online games and widgets featured on the sites:

“We are delighted to reunite Smokey Bear and Disney’s Bambi to remind Americans about their important role in wildfire prevention. They are both beloved and enduring characters and these wonderful new PSAs will continue to resonate with a new generation of children and further the reach of Smokey’s critical messages,” said to Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of The Advertising Council.

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been communicating his well-known message, “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” In 2001, the term ‘wildfires’ was introduced to define all unwanted, unplanned fires in natural areas, including grass fires and brush fires.

The Ad Council will be distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide. Per the organization’s model, the PSAs are airing and running in advertising time and space that is donated by the media. Over the last 66 years, media outlets have donated more than $1 billion in time and space for the Wildfire Prevention campaign.

On behalf of Smokey, the Ad Council, The USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, we'd love for you to share the campaign materials with your followers and ask them to visit http://www.smokeybear.com to take his Wildfire Prevention Pledge. They'll even be able to download a Smokey Bear mask that they can use for Halloween!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Walt Disney Classics Collection Seven Dwarfs Signature Series Release ("Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! It's Home From Work We Go!") won the Luxury Category in the 2010 Collectors Choice Awards run by Collector Editions Magazine.

Dwarfs on Log is the 2009 Signature Series Release. A Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 is the Ninth Release in the Series.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection Sales Force and Authorized Dealers were notified of the following sculptures being sold out to retailers:

The Seven Dwarfs on Log ('Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! It's Home From Work We Go!') , sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons, a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 is the Ninth Release in the Signature Series.

Jasmine ('Daring Distraction'), sculpted by Dusty Horner, is Limited to Production Year 2009. She is the Fifth Release in the Leading Ladies Series joining previous Leading Ladies Jessica Rabbit, Megara (Meg), Pocahontas and Esmerelda.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Winter in Bloom Premiere Event (February- 25-27, 2011) featuring Tinker Bell ("Delicate Daydreamer") has sold out to retailers through pre-orders!

Tinker Bell ("Delicate Daydreamer") the Fourth Release in the Disney Artist Series and Second Release in the Tinker Bell Seasons is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 3,000 sculpted by Margi Wray. Collectors should contact their retailers now to confirm their preferred dealer is participating in the event and to reserve a piece in advance if the retailer is accepting orders.